The Ford Barn

BobbyG · 03-13-2014, 01:39 PM

Hi guys - running a 36 flathead in a model A - Standard 3 spd manual.

I had the distributor ( diving helmet style) rebuilt - brand new Single Stromberg - all new plugs coil/ leads etc etc.

I have a home built exhaust which runs from where the Drivers side joins the pass side from manifolds then I have maybe 3ft pipe before it exits just under the passenger door - this is a temporary system, there are no mufflers so it is a bit noisy.

Anyway the thing I think I am noticing is that the car seems to be holding back and labouring - I can not detect a missfire but in top gear and pulling away from 25mph it just seems to be a bit slow and sounds very lumpy through the exhaust.

I am new to driving this car so I have nothing to compare it to my other car has a SBC in it.

I should mention I am running the model A rear end but with a high speed pinion set - which allows it to cruise nicely at 45mph.

Any tips appreciated

Bob

Willit Stop · 03-13-2014, 01:52 PM

It could be lotsa' things.I had a similar problem...I knew everything was right,or close enough,but still seemed sluggish at higher RPM's.Then I noticed that little 4" chrome air cleaner on top of the carburetor and started wondering how on earth enough air could go through it at 3000 RPM's.I removed the filter and drove it again.Big difference! Since then I've replaced it with two 6" stacked filters.I haven't driven the car since then but I have faith that it'll work. Just a thought......try driving yours without the filter. Good luck,Gene

BobbyG · 03-13-2014, 02:21 PM

Cheers Gene - will give that a go tomorrow.

Ken Bull · 03-13-2014, 03:09 PM

Check to see it the Valleycover/Intake manifold is tightened down / 25lbs. torque. Mine slowly loosened up and I experianced hard starting hot & what you described problems. Also be sure the wires on each side of the under dash Resister are tight, Good Driving

BobbyG · 03-14-2014, 02:02 PM

Right chaps - I took the air filter off - no change there.
Checked inlet manifold bolts and surprisingly a few were quite loose !! Thanks ken.

I am now thinking that maybe this is just how a FH V8 is typically.

Bob

SUHRsc · 03-14-2014, 02:45 PM

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High speed ring and pinion in high gear at 25mph might be causing it to work too hard to where it will lug along a bit. Try winding out 2nd gear farther.
I'm almost never in 3rd gear below 35mph.

Zach

BobbyG · 03-15-2014, 04:23 PM

Cheers Zach - will give it a whirl and see how she performs.

Bob

G.M. · 03-15-2014, 04:56 PM

Who rebuilt the distributor? Do they have a machine to set distributors?? Also slightly sticky valves, try MMO in the gas. G.M.

Willit Stop · 03-15-2014, 05:28 PM

Someone posted this a while back.Maybe it will help.
http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/186.cfm

koates · 03-15-2014, 05:42 PM

Hi there, Just check all your spark plug leads right from the two caps to each plug and make sure a couple are not crossed up. That would make your V8 run a bit "off". Regards, Kevin.

Tinker · 03-15-2014, 08:38 PM

If its luggin from 2nd to 3rd i might venture to say (as already said) you need to run out 2nd gear before shifting. Torque off the start a flathead should have.

scooder · 03-16-2014, 05:44 AM

What ratio is this "high speed ring and pinion"? And what size tires you got in back?
Martin.

03-13-2014, 01:39 PM	#1
BobbyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 240	v8 hbackolding Hi guys - running a 36 flathead in a model A - Standard 3 spd manual. I had the distributor ( diving helmet style) rebuilt - brand new Single Stromberg - all new plugs coil/ leads etc etc. I have a home built exhaust which runs from where the Drivers side joins the pass side from manifolds then I have maybe 3ft pipe before it exits just under the passenger door - this is a temporary system, there are no mufflers so it is a bit noisy. Anyway the thing I think I am noticing is that the car seems to be holding back and labouring - I can not detect a missfire but in top gear and pulling away from 25mph it just seems to be a bit slow and sounds very lumpy through the exhaust. I am new to driving this car so I have nothing to compare it to my other car has a SBC in it. I should mention I am running the model A rear end but with a high speed pinion set - which allows it to cruise nicely at 45mph. Any tips appreciated Bob

03-13-2014, 01:52 PM	#2
Willit Stop Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Eureka Calif. Posts: 968	Re: v8 hbackolding It could be lotsa' things.I had a similar problem...I knew everything was right,or close enough,but still seemed sluggish at higher RPM's.Then I noticed that little 4" chrome air cleaner on top of the carburetor and started wondering how on earth enough air could go through it at 3000 RPM's.I removed the filter and drove it again.Big difference! Since then I've replaced it with two 6" stacked filters.I haven't driven the car since then but I have faith that it'll work. Just a thought......try driving yours without the filter. Good luck,Gene

03-13-2014, 02:21 PM	#3
BobbyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 240	Re: v8 hbackolding Cheers Gene - will give that a go tomorrow.

03-13-2014, 03:09 PM	#4
Ken Bull Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Port St Lucie Florida Posts: 398	Re: v8 hbackolding Check to see it the Valleycover/Intake manifold is tightened down / 25lbs. torque. Mine slowly loosened up and I experianced hard starting hot & what you described problems. Also be sure the wires on each side of the under dash Resister are tight, Good Driving

03-14-2014, 02:02 PM	#5
BobbyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 240	Re: v8 hbackolding Right chaps - I took the air filter off - no change there. Checked inlet manifold bolts and surprisingly a few were quite loose !! Thanks ken. I am now thinking that maybe this is just how a FH V8 is typically. Bob

03-14-2014, 02:45 PM	#6
SUHRsc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: near Hershey, PA Posts: 875	Re: v8 hbackolding Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) High speed ring and pinion in high gear at 25mph might be causing it to work too hard to where it will lug along a bit. Try winding out 2nd gear farther. I'm almost never in 3rd gear below 35mph. Zach __________________ -WANTED- Pre-War Speed Equipment Davies or Morrison Intake Manifold 77-6050B, 81AS - 81SB - 99AS - 99SB 19AS cylinder heads

03-15-2014, 04:23 PM	#7
BobbyG Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 240	Re: v8 hbackolding Cheers Zach - will give it a whirl and see how she performs. Bob

03-15-2014, 04:56 PM	#8
G.M. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida and Penna. Posts: 4,471	Re: v8 hbackolding Who rebuilt the distributor? Do they have a machine to set distributors?? Also slightly sticky valves, try MMO in the gas. G.M. __________________ www.fordcollector.com

03-15-2014, 05:28 PM	#9
Willit Stop Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Eureka Calif. Posts: 968	Re: v8 hbackolding Someone posted this a while back.Maybe it will help. http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/186.cfm

03-15-2014, 05:42 PM	#10
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,078	Re: v8 hbackolding Hi there, Just check all your spark plug leads right from the two caps to each plug and make sure a couple are not crossed up. That would make your V8 run a bit "off". Regards, Kevin.

03-15-2014, 08:38 PM	#11
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: v8 hbackolding If its luggin from 2nd to 3rd i might venture to say (as already said) you need to run out 2nd gear before shifting. Torque off the start a flathead should have.

03-16-2014, 05:44 AM	#12
scooder Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 2,593	Re: v8 hbackolding What ratio is this "high speed ring and pinion"? And what size tires you got in back? Martin.